As of today, if you find and keep a feather of the Scarlet Ibis, be also prepared to find $100,000 to pay for breaking the law. Such was the warning of Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, as he addressed ‘would-be poachers’ during a Signing Ceremony for the Environmentally Sensitive Species (ESS) Designation of the Scarlet Ibis at the Visitors’ Centre of the Caroni Swamp on Thursday 26th July, 2018. (more…)

In light of clear evidence last week of poaching in the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) today accepted a proposal from Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries Clarence Rambharat to fast-track the placement of the Scarlet Ibis on its list of environmentally sensitive species (ESS) following public consultation, and to take steps to declare the Caroni Bird Sanctuary an environmentally sensitive area (ESA). These two initiatives will strengthen protections for the national bird and other birds, and significantly increase the penalties for poaching the Scarlet Ibis. (more…)